Glycoalkaloids Affect the Animal Nervous System: A Review

Glycoalkaloids (GAs) are plant secondary metabolites produced mainly by species of the Solanaceae family, such as the tomato Solanum lycopersicum L. Although traditionally associated with toxicity, recent research highlights their diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective effects. These properties arise from their ability to interact with cell membranes, modulate key signaling pathways, and influence immune responses. Selected GAs, such as solasonine, solamargine, and α-tomatine, have demonstrated the potential to regulate inflammation, induce apoptosis in cancer cells, affect the tumor microenvironment, and modulate microglial activity in the nervous system. Moreover, their toxicity remains an important limitation, emphasizing the need for further studies on structure-activity relationships and strategies to reduce adverse effects while preserving therapeutic potential. Overall, GAs represent promising candidates for future research aimed at developing novel therapeutic approaches, provided that their safety profiles are thoroughly characterized.